So, I had a baby..

In October 2010 I gave birth to a son. If I had to give insight or advice it would be:

1. Everyone has a different definition of "big."

I had a woman tell that she would bet cash money I would have a ten pound baby. the woman she was with replied "What are you talking about? She is tiny!"
My mother in law was concerned I was not big enough.
The orderly at the hospital said "Oh my god are you having twins?" the same day the ultrasound tech said "I am going to say it will be a six pound baby."

2. Every pregnancy is different.

I did not throw up once while pregnant. I knew something was up when I did not want any pickles. I craved chicken and lemon water/lemonade for about two or three weeks. Just because so-and-so smelled like garlic and drank clamato juice does not mean you will do the same.

3. Make a birth plan.

Plan for what you would do in common scenarios. I was not getting a C-section but I told them what I wanted in case I did have one.

4. Push with contractions.

Now this may seem like a duh but I tried to hold the baby in while waiting for the doctor. When we he did not show up I just started pushing hell bent for sunday and ended up with sulcus tear. I had the baby without the doctor present so I am not too concerned about the next pregnancy as sulcus tears are rare. I only had one because (IMO) I pushed too hard without a contraction causing the baby to come down too fast. By the way, according to the doctor the nurse never even told him I had gotten to eight cm let alone 10 cm.

5. If you go to the hospital bring food. Lots of food.

I went in for test which turned into an hours long affair in which the nurse refused me food because she could not reach the doctor. She could not reach the doctor because she was calling the wrong doctor. When the right doctor showed up he gave me a cervical pipener and I was not allowed to eat. When I was allowed to eat the hospital only had a ham and turkey sandwich available. I was in the hospital for four days and they only fed me on the third night and the forth morning and night. Any other time it had to be the ham and turkey or the food I brought. Gee, good thing I had started eating meat while pregnant, huh? If I had been vegetarian I would have starved.

6. Double check with your doctor. Even things you may think are normal.

After the baby I had locchia, the period you get after birth. It started smelling bad. Then it got worse. I had to take cipro for an infection. If I had just assumed it was supposed to smell that way it could have gone untreated.
Besides nothing feels better than an OB/GYN saying "that's normal."